We’d love to start sharing with you a little bit about the people that make South Hill Park great. June’s spotlight is on Mark Hooper, director of many South Hill Park in-house productions including Beauty and the Beast and this year’s pantomime Robin Hood and the Magic Arrow.
Tell us about what you do here at South Hill Park?
I am the director of Learning, Participation and Community Engagement at South Hill Park Arts Centre and also director for some of the shows we produce in-house.
Describe South Hill Park’s productions in a few words.
Community, West End quality and full of life.
What do you love most about being a director?
I love being a theatre director because it allows me to bring stories to life and share them with an audience. Theatre has a unique ability to bring people together for a live shared experience as it provokes thoughts, evokes emotions, and fosters a sense of community. Being part of that experience is truly fulfilling.
What are the integral elements of a successful South Hill Park production?
Each production requires lots of different departments to work together to bring the project to fruition; marketing, finance, sound, lighting, set, operations, front of house and the creative team all have to work in tandem. Our amazing community company are also a key part of almost all of our in-house productions. Up to 200 people from our local community sign up to audition for our productions. We end up with a cast of 30-40 adults who all volunteer their time, so that we can produce high-quality musical theatre for our audiences. After each production closes, we have a full debrief on how to make the next iteration even more successful, enabling us to push the boundaries even further.
Why are our shows so important for and to the local community?
Community theatre builds community spirit by bringing people together, creating a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose, and enriching the local cultural landscape. Providing opportunities to local talent and promoting inclusivity and accessibility by involving people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
What was it like directing Beauty and the Beast?
Beauty and the Beast was one of our most technically ambitious Easter shows. Combining a complex score, intricate choreography, a large ensemble and integrating projection and magic into the performance was a rewarding challenge. The sense of shared pride and achievement watching it all come to fruition was really special.
Why should we watch a South Hill Park production?
The best answer to this question is the audience members feedback who came to see Beauty and the Beast! Here’s what they said:
Your best show yet… Not to be missed!
We really are lucky to have South Hill Park producing west-end quality productions right on our doorstep.
It was like watching a west end performance, 10/10. Well done to the actors you were all amazing to watch. I totally recommend it.
As a regular west end goer… this show was up there with some of those performances – well done all involved! Loved it.
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